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Sunday, July 01, 2007

Song(s) for Canada

As so often happens when I do research, I not only found what I was seeking but lots of other related things. I first heard Song for Canada by Canadian folksinger and song writer, Ian Tyson, over forty years ago. For this Canada Day, I set about seeking the lyrics to post here. I found them easily enough, but I also found another song entitled Song for Canada by Lianna Klassen whose lyrics enthralled me. Being in no mood to choose between the two, I post the lyrics of both in honor of the nation that is the northern neighbor of my own (and where reside several of my dearest friends):

Song for Canada (Lianna Klassen)

I have felt the wind upon my face
On this Atlantic shore
And in the West I've stood and watched
The noble eagles soar
And I have seen the fields of gold
And green and yellow too
And on the majesty of mountains
Touching skies of blue

And my heart's
Overwhelmed
For this nation that I love
This is my song
For Canada

A song for unity
And a song for freedom
Oh Lord our God
May your healing come
And may the walls that divide us
No longer stand
Oh Lord
Our God
Heal out land

In the colour of the Northern Lights
That leap and dance and sing
In the stillness of the forest where
Snow melts in the spring
In the beauty of the muskeg that is
Red and golden brown
In the quiet expectations of the
City before dawn...

And my heart's
Overwhelmed
For this nation that I love
This is my song
For Canada

A song for unity
And a song for freedom
Oh Lord our God
May your healing come
And may the walls that divide us
No longer stand
Oh Lord
Our God
Heal our land

Oh, revive this generation
With your fire and your rain
So that the faith this land was founded on
Will come to life again
Oh, may the prayers of intercession rise
As incense to the king
That will touch your heart, oh God...
Oh Father, hear our song...

A song for unity
And a song for freedom
Oh Lord our God
May your healing come
And may the walls that divide us
No longer stand
Oh Lord
Our God
Heal our land


Song for Canada (Ian Tyson & Pete Growski )

How come we can't talk to each other any more?
Why can't you see I'm changing too?
We've got by far too long to end it feeling wronged
And I still share too much with you

Just one great river always flowing to the sea
One single river rolling in eternity
Two nations in the land that lies along its shore
But just one river rolling free.

How come you shut me out as if I wasn't there
What's this new bitterness you've found?
However wronged you were, however strong it hurt
It wasn't me that held you down.

Why can't you understand I'm glad you're standing proud
I know you made it on your own
But in this pride you've earned, I thought you might have learned
That you don't have to stand alone

Lonely northern rivers come together till you see
One single river rolling in eternity
Two nations in the land that lies along its shore
But just one river, you and me


4 comments:

  1. What a lovely tribute to our Canadian neighbors, Nick...

    Great lyrics, too - I wasn't familiar with them before.

    Nice:)

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  2. :)

    Thanks Nick for remembering us, the 51st state :)

    Me, I love the old jazz standard - Oh Canada! ;)

    Happy Canada Day from your friendly ex-pat in London.
    xx
    pinks

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  3. Hi Nick

    That was lovely, posting the words to both songs. They are very poignant and I bet they're sung with great feeling by our Canadian friends on the appropriate occasions.

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  4. I really like the lyrics of both songes; the second one raises some questions in my mind about the relationship between Canada and the United States.

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